Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Marathi will continue to receive priority in Maharashtra while saying people speaking other languages should not be treated unfairly.
His remarks came at the Panchjanya Sushasan Samvad in Mumbai where he discussed the state’s language policy and the controversy surrounding the requirement for passenger transport drivers to have working knowledge of Marathi. The interaction was published on September 30, while reports on his remarks were published on October 1, 2026.
Fadnavis said regional identity and every mother tongue should be respected. At the same time, he said Marathi would naturally receive importance as Maharashtra’s own language and mother tongue.
‘Basic, functional Marathi’ for drivers
Fadnavis also raised concerns about the Marathi requirement for taxi, autorickshaw and app-based cab drivers.
He said the requirement was presented in some quarters as an attempt to impose Marathi. But according to him, the syllabus consisted of just very basic functional Marathi phrases that are suitable for daily communication between drivers and passengers.
Fadnavis described it as a two-page syllabus of simple conversational phrases. He also said Hindi-speaking members of Mumbai’s taxi and autorickshaw unions had already expressed interest in learning basic Marathi but needed more time.
The chief minister’s explanation came during a recent debate over the language requirement for passenger transport drivers.
What is the Driver Licence rule?
Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, were amended in August 2026 by the Maharashtra government. Under the amended law, drivers and permit holders of autorickshaws, taxis and app-based motor cabs with electronic meters are required to have working or practical knowledge of Marathi.
The amended rules give licensing authorities the power to take action if the requirement is not met. From August 18, passenger transport drivers without the required Marathi knowledge could face suspension of up to three months, and repeated non-compliance could result in cancellation.
The objective is to make sure that drivers can communicate with passengers and understand their problems while delivering transport services, Pratap Sarnaik, Transport Minister has said.
Language debate continues in Maharashtra.
The issue is in the background of a larger debate in Maharashtra regarding Marathi identity and regional languages.
Fadnavis said language should remain a means of communication instead of conflict. Marathi would be given priority in Maharashtra but other Indian languages should also be respected, he said.
The comments are from the state government on the language requirement as authorities continue to implement the amended transport rules.
The driver license requirement and Fadnavis's clarification are likely to remain in the mainstream of the language issue, public services and communication in Maharashtra and are part of the wider language, public services and communication conversation as well.
